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What Is Chrysotile Asbestos?

Chrysotile is a naturally occurring mineral that has many industrial applications. However, exposure to asbestos has been linked to various health problems, including mesothelioma, a rare form of cancer. For this reason, asbestos has fallen out of favor in many countries around the world, although its use has not been regulated in many countries in the developing world.

  1. Types of Asbestos

    • Chrysotile asbestos is one of several forms of asbestos. Altogether, six types of asbestos are known. The three most common are chrysotile, or white, asbestos used in 90 percent of asbestos-containing products, amosite, which is brown or gray in color, and crocidolite, which is bluish in color. Other less common types of asbestos include anthophyllite, tremolite and actinolite.

    Where is it Mined?

    • Asbestos is found throughout the Americas, Russia, India and parts of Africa. Asbestos has been mined in 17 U.S. states, mostly in mountain ranges such as Appalachian, the Cascades, and the Coast Ranges of California and Oregon. In Canada, the only asbestos mines in operation are located in the province of Quebec.

    Health Concerns

    • Exposure to asbestos has been linked to pleural plaques (scars on the lining of the lungs), as well as mesothelioma, a rare but aggressive form of cancer. No level of asbestos exposure is considered safe by medical professionals. Studies have repeatedly and conclusively linked asbestos exposure to the development of mesothelioma.

    What Products Contain Chrysotile Asbestos?

    • About 90 percent of chrysotile is used to make cement, which is often used to make water mains. Asbestos can also be found in roofing, insulation and fireproofing. In addition, the material was once used in automotive brake pads and asphalt.

    Friable Forms

    • In decades past, chrysotile products were made in such a way that they could easily become damaged or break down, leading to the release of asbestos fibers into the air. Today, however, the Canadian Chrysotile Institute has stated that non-friable asbestos (asbestos that is resistant to breaking down) is used most often. The non-friable asbestos is encapsulated in resin. However, the older, friable forms of asbestos can still be found in older buildings all over the globe.

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